9781422278697

Players will sleep anywhere from one to three hours, waking up about four hours before game time. For college and professional players who travel extensively, the midday nap is often the most consistent rest they get in their routine. Experts stress the importance of proper rest as it is said to enhance reaction time and energy levels. Properly fed and rested, most players at the college and professional levels arrive at the arena about three hours before tip-off. After changing out of street clothes, the next key element in game day preparation is stretching. Stretching has a number of benefits that prepare a player’s body for all the running, jumping, and sudden changes in direction about to come. A consistent stretching routine will increase flexibility in muscles and tendons. Coaches recommend twenty to thirty minutes to maximize flexibility before games. Better flexibility means better range of motion, which translates to longer strides and longer reach. Basketball stresses opposing muscle groups to different degrees (i.e., the quadriceps vs. the hamstrings), which can lead to an imbalance in the way muscles develop. The result of this imbalance is often pain in the joint they surround (i.e., the knee). Stretching before games helps to balance out all the major muscle groups. Stretching also promotes better balance between muscle groups.

— Lamar Hull, NCAA DI point guard a high level. Stretching before you play helps performance and injury prevention. Stretching after you play helps with muscle fatigue.” “I didn’t really understand the importance of stretching until I started playing college basketball. I had to make sure my body was prepared to perform at

Set a goal that stretches you, requires exceptional effort, but one that you can reach. “

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— Pat Summitt, eight-time NCAA women’s champion coach

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